"Vessel Strike Linked to Death of Endangered Whale off Virginia Coast"

An endangered North Atlantic right whale, identified as adult female #1950, was found dead off the coast of Virginia with fatal injuries consistent with a vessel strike, marking the 40th death in the ongoing Unusual Mortality Event impacting the species. The North Atlantic right whale population has plummeted 35% over the last 13 years, primarily due to entanglements in fishing gear and vessel strikes. The latest death is another setback for the critically endangered species, which has an estimated population of about 356. Conservation advocates are calling for enhanced seasonal speed limits for vessels to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale.